PCP 4500psi refill setup
- Thread starter Kelvinator
- Start date
Thread revival...
So I recently purchased a (neutered 495fps) Diana StormRider .22, and I'm conflicted about charging this thing...
Firstly, yes my rifle has a 100cc / 2900 psi tank. Sure a hand-pump will "work", but so will I in the process of recharging. Not ideal... And some are $300 ! Eff that.
Purpose built carbon fiber 4500psi paintball & air-gun tanks are crazy expensive, and used ones are like hens-teeth. Some still need the hose & proper size QD's. Not as bad as a pump, though.
It seems SCUBA tanks only fill to 3000-3300 psi, while some SCBA / Scotts Air-Pak carbon bottles can charge to 4500 psi. Now we're getting somewhere.
Metal bottles never expire, carbon bottles good for 15 yrs, both need hydro-test/recert every 5 yrs, DIN valves & yoke/K-valves. Lots to digest, but I'm getting it.
Charging a 3000 psi rifle from a 4500 psi tank gets better results than charging with a 3000-3300 psi SCUBA...? I get it, but is it really that different for a weekend (<100 shots) shooter ?
I guess my budget is the biggest constraint. I'd like to keep it sub $500 - trying for the $350-$400 mark. Not interested in a ~$1000 compressor for a $300 air-rifle that still needs a scope & rings.
I've seen lots of ~90 CI 3000psi paintball tanks for cheap, what about using 2-4 of them as my refill station ? Or am I better of with a 74-90 cu FT SCUBA ?
I'm pretty handy and I can cobble stuff together myself if it saves on the cost, I just don't want garbage or the wrong stuff.
Fill station seems dependent on the tank's valve type. And the QD's on the hose, is there a specific one I need for my brass fill-port attachment thingy ?
Also reading nitrogen can be used, but still haven't looked into sourcing it & what valve the tanks come with. And then there's the conflicting reports on where to get bottles filled with either Nitro or air.
Oh bother...
Please give me some insight on the compressed air game !
So I recently purchased a (neutered 495fps) Diana StormRider .22, and I'm conflicted about charging this thing...
Firstly, yes my rifle has a 100cc / 2900 psi tank. Sure a hand-pump will "work", but so will I in the process of recharging. Not ideal... And some are $300 ! Eff that.
Purpose built carbon fiber 4500psi paintball & air-gun tanks are crazy expensive, and used ones are like hens-teeth. Some still need the hose & proper size QD's. Not as bad as a pump, though.
It seems SCUBA tanks only fill to 3000-3300 psi, while some SCBA / Scotts Air-Pak carbon bottles can charge to 4500 psi. Now we're getting somewhere.
Metal bottles never expire, carbon bottles good for 15 yrs, both need hydro-test/recert every 5 yrs, DIN valves & yoke/K-valves. Lots to digest, but I'm getting it.
Charging a 3000 psi rifle from a 4500 psi tank gets better results than charging with a 3000-3300 psi SCUBA...? I get it, but is it really that different for a weekend (<100 shots) shooter ?
I guess my budget is the biggest constraint. I'd like to keep it sub $500 - trying for the $350-$400 mark. Not interested in a ~$1000 compressor for a $300 air-rifle that still needs a scope & rings.
I've seen lots of ~90 CI 3000psi paintball tanks for cheap, what about using 2-4 of them as my refill station ? Or am I better of with a 74-90 cu FT SCUBA ?
I'm pretty handy and I can cobble stuff together myself if it saves on the cost, I just don't want garbage or the wrong stuff.
Fill station seems dependent on the tank's valve type. And the QD's on the hose, is there a specific one I need for my brass fill-port attachment thingy ?
Also reading nitrogen can be used, but still haven't looked into sourcing it & what valve the tanks come with. And then there's the conflicting reports on where to get bottles filled with either Nitro or air.
Oh bother...
Please give me some insight on the compressed air game !
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sillymike
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
200 bar is about 2900 psi
- So using a 3000 psi tank, you'll only get so many "full" fill... If you search on the web, there are calculator/formula that will tell you how many full tank you can expect based upon your cylinder volume and tank volume
A 4500 psi tank will give you way more "full" fill.
- Personally, when dealing with high pressure container... I'm not a fan of cobbling-something-together...
PCP and saving money usually don't go well together.
- Pumping would be your cheapest option... and it might even be good for your health.
- Next would be one of the Chinese compressors
- So using a 3000 psi tank, you'll only get so many "full" fill... If you search on the web, there are calculator/formula that will tell you how many full tank you can expect based upon your cylinder volume and tank volume
A 4500 psi tank will give you way more "full" fill.
- Personally, when dealing with high pressure container... I'm not a fan of cobbling-something-together...
PCP and saving money usually don't go well together.
- Pumping would be your cheapest option... and it might even be good for your health.
- Next would be one of the Chinese compressors
$395 CAD shipped via FedEx (valves & hose included) from AliExpress - 9 liter (54 cu/ft) tank. The 12L (75 cu/ft) tank is quite the jump in price, $487 USD...
Is this a good buy ? D.O.M. is claimed as May or Dec / 2017 (or newer).
* PS : confirmed with THE DIVE SHOP Calgary, they can fill ~4300 PSI... All air fills are $12 flat rate.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000028094266.html?spm=a2g0o.detail.1000023.1.704b59caQv6TeU
Is this a good buy ? D.O.M. is claimed as May or Dec / 2017 (or newer).
* PS : confirmed with THE DIVE SHOP Calgary, they can fill ~4300 PSI... All air fills are $12 flat rate.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000028094266.html?spm=a2g0o.detail.1000023.1.704b59caQv6TeU
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I personally use a Air Venturi Nomad II compressor to fill my 3 PCP's.
Didn't break the bank and so far it's been working well for this task. Small and portable, you can easily travel with it, and you can plug it into your vehicle if you want to use it out in the field.
Didn't break the bank and so far it's been working well for this task. Small and portable, you can easily travel with it, and you can plug it into your vehicle if you want to use it out in the field.
The ideal tank for filling a PCP is a 4500 psi carbon fiber tank that has volume, over 70 cubic feet. It has a lot of volume and pressure. The next best thing is a scuba tank that is large, that is it has volume. These tanks are usually aluminum or steel and typically take a fill pressure of 3000 - 3300 psi, depending on the tank. A 100 cubic foot steel tank filled to about 3200 psi should be readily available and can be filled at most every scuba shop.
Be aware that many scuba shops can't fill beyond normal scuba tank levels. Some paintball facilities may be able to fill the big carbon fiber tanks, but scuba shops probably won't. Many PCP shooters who use big carbon fiber tanks get their own portable compressors that can fill to 4500 psi. Compressors are now more readily available and have come down in price over the last five to ten years.
Be aware that many scuba shops can't fill beyond normal scuba tank levels. Some paintball facilities may be able to fill the big carbon fiber tanks, but scuba shops probably won't. Many PCP shooters who use big carbon fiber tanks get their own portable compressors that can fill to 4500 psi. Compressors are now more readily available and have come down in price over the last five to ten years.
I appreciate your input but I've stated that I'm not spending ~$1000 (I see there's ~$600 units), when a tank is less expensive & far more reliable than a compressor.
I'm trying to keep it around $800 for the gun/scope/fill station, even if it means buying used stuff and reassembling (errr, cobbling ?) things together to fit my needs & specifications.
Given the info I input, using a standard 12L SCUBA & the ACECARE 9L 4500psi tank and I'm guessing at the 2000psi gun-pressure as my refill point... Dunno yet.
3000 PSI 75 cu/ft (12L) tank - charging gun to 2900psi - recharging gun @ 2000psi = 11.6 refills . . . . . (every 100 PSI increases # of fills by 10, 3300PSI = 42 refills)
4300 PSI 54 cu/ft (9L) tank - charging gun to 2900psi - recharging gun @ 2000psi = 81.3 refills . . . . . . (Brad @ The Dive Shop Calgary just confirmed today he can fill to ~4300psi in carbon)
Holy fak ! What a difference... At least double, based on getting them to fill a SCUBA tank to 3300 PSI. If they will only do 3000, that's brutally different ! 80 refills vs 12 'ish...?
$400 for a 4500psi 54 cu/ft tank with hose sounds better every time I think about it...
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$385 shipped, actually... After the $17 in coupons/discounts. https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000028094266.html?spm=a2g0o.detail.1000023.1.704b 59caQv6TeU
I pulled the trigger on one... Wish me luck, says 7-15 day shipping time and reviewers say the estimate is legit. Hopefully my brass fill "spigot" thing fits the QD hose !
I pulled the trigger on one... Wish me luck, says 7-15 day shipping time and reviewers say the estimate is legit. Hopefully my brass fill "spigot" thing fits the QD hose !
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The problem with getting a tank is that you are not completely self reliant.
That tank is only going to get you so many fills, and you will be dependent on an individual or a business with a proper compressor to fill that tank up once it's depleted. Eventually you will want your own compressor, so you don't have to rely on other people to shoot.
A shop air compressor usually develops up to about 200 psi. A PCP requires more than ten times that pressure.
The 54cu/ft 4500 psi tank has already been paid for...
I won't be shooting it that much, $12/fill isn't expensive, and The Dive Shop isn't too far.
And again, not interested in a compressor for a multitude of reason. Three of which are in the sentence above this one.
Thank you though !
Scott 4500 PSI 60 Minute CF SCBA/ YONG HENG 4500PSI Compressor
Never get a 4500psi compressor for $200. I did a group buy on 25 Yong Heng's and the best was just under $400 "all in"
YH 45 Comp
Never get a 4500psi compressor for $200. I did a group buy on 25 Yong Heng's and the best was just under $400 "all in"
YH 45 Comp
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Im sure a majority of scba tanks are made overseas, but how confident are you in this tank? or will you be taking it to get certified once it lands?
